Protective Film Installation Apparatus and Method

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for the application of protective films to electronic devices and a method for applying the same. The apparatus utilizes a base shoe and modular framing system that is adaptable for many devices and, when fitted with a device and installed in the shoe, precisely holds the device in a known location relative the shoe. Films are supplied on an application sheet and precisely positioned thereon in a manner such that the application sheet, when positioned on the shoe, holds the film in the exact location needed for quick and precise application of the film. The application sheet is pressed downwards against the device, successively from one edge to another, thereby the film to the device. The shoe features a raised head on a flexible arm, thus raising the film above the level of the device before application and allowing the sheet to be pressed into position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for the application of protective films to a consumer electronic device, the device having a silhouette defined by its perimeter, the apparatus comprising:
 a shoe, the shoe further comprising:
 an elongate base, the base having two opposite ends, one being defined as the foot; 
 a flexible arm extending from the end opposite the foot and terminating in a head positioned above a level of the elongate base; 
 a plurality of pegs located on both the head and the foot; 
 a slot located laterally in the center of the elongate base; 
   at least one frame having an exterior perimeter in conformity with the slot and having an interior perimeter to accommodate the device silhouette, the frame and the shoe, once fitted together with the device securely holding the device at a known position in the shoe; and   an application sheet, the application sheet further comprising:
 a backing sheet having a plurality of holes that comport with the pegs of the shoe; 
 a release liner; and 
 a protective film for the device, located on the release liner in a manner to comport with the known position of the device in the shoe when the application sheet is installed on the pegs of the shoe with the film facing the device; 
   
       wherein, once assembled, the protective film is applied to the device by pressing the application sheet against the device, the arm flexing to accommodate the movement of the application sheet. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of frames, each frame having an interior perimeter to accommodate a different device's silhouette. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the slot being shaped and sized to accommodate a given second device's silhouette without a frame. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a squeegee for pressing the application sheet against the device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a roller for pressing the application sheet against the device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , the roller further comprising two ears which, when the roller is positioned properly over the shoe, abut the shoe along the elongate base of the shoe. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the flexible arm extending from the base of the shoe and being made of ABS plastic with a thickness of approximately 3-5 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the backing sheet being made of acetate. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a squeegee for pressing the application sheet against the device, the squeegee being made of LDPE. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the application sheet being perforated by each hole that is associated with pegs located on the head of the shoe such that when a requisite force is applied to such each hole, the application sheet will fail where it is perforated. 
     
     
         11 . A method of applying a protective film to a consumer electronic device, the device having a silhouette defined by its perimeter, the method comprising:
 placing the device within a frame having an interior perimeter that comports with the silhouette of the device;   placing the frame, with the device, within a slot in a shoe, the shoe having a head raised on a flexible arm and a foot opposite, both with a plurality of pegs, the frame holding the device in a pre-determined position relative to the shoe;   placing an application sheet holding a pre-positioned film on the pegs, over the device, the position of the film being selected to comport with the position of the device relative the shoe; and   pressing the application sheet against the device in a manner that gradually increases contact of the film with the device and leaves the film on the device when the application sheet is removed.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , the frame being selected from a plurality of frames, each frame having a different interior perimeter that accommodates a silhouette of a different device and the application sheet is selected from a plurality of application sheets, each with different shapes and positions of films to comport with different devices. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , the frame being the slot in the shoe. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , the application sheet being pressed against the device by a thin squeegee, working the application sheet progressively against the device from one end to an opposite end. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , the application sheet being pressed against the device by a roller, working the application sheet progressively against the device from one end to an opposite end. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , the application sheet being pressed against the device by a thin squeegee, working the application sheet progressively against the device from one end to an opposite end. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , the application sheet being pressed against the device by a roller, working the application sheet progressively against the device from one end to an opposite end. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , the application sheet being pressed against the device by a thin squeegee, working the application sheet progressively against the device from one end to an opposite end. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , the application sheet being pressed against the device by a roller, working the application sheet progressively against the device from one end to an opposite end. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , the application sheet breaking at provided perforations at some point after the film is entirely applied to the device.